Jennifer Hudson, Here I Am (Singing My Way Home) | Track Review 🎵

Decorated actress/singer Jennifer Hudson channels Aretha Franklin on original “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from the RESPECT soundtrack.

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t’s been far too long since Academy Award/Grammy winner 🎙 Jennifer Hudson released new music. Thankfully, that wait has come to an end! Hudson plays the late, great 🎙 Aretha Franklin in the highly anticipated biopic, 🎦 RESPECT. That means the anointed, robust-voiced diva isn’t only blessing us with her acting chops, but also, her singing.  Accompanying the August 13 release of RESPECT is 💿 RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).  In addition to covering Franklin, there’s also a brand-new original, penned in the style of Franklin, 🎵 “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)”.

“Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” was written by 🎼✍ Carole King, 🎼✍Jamie Hartman, and Hudson.  Yes, that’s THE Carole King renowned for her songwriting skills including co-writing Franklin’s 🎵 “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman”. As far as the production, 🎛 Will.i.am and 🎛 Johnny Goldstein craft the gospel-infused, neo-/retro-soul sound.  With thoughtful lyrics and an old-school backdrop, Jennifer Hudson has elite material to work with.  You know what she possesses that elite? That voice, and as you’d expected, she sounds angelic, nuanced, and soulful on “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home).”  It begins with a dramatic, free intro, something that Aretha was known for and comes directly from the black church/gospel music.  Soon enough, “Here I Am” settles in with more flow, and J Hud delivers the goods. Upping the ante are backing choral vocals – gotta love a supporting gospel choir!

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Final Thoughts 💭 

Listening to “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home),” the spirit of Aretha Franklin is written all over it.  That was clearly the intent.  Jennifer Hudson does what she always does – slays.  What more is there to say?

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🎙 Jennifer Hudson • 💿 RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 Epic • 🗓 8.13.21

[📷: Brent Faulkner, Epic, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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